Business & Finance Club - Sharjah: As part of its corporate social responsibility, Sharjah Islamic BankSharjah Islamic BankSharjah Islamic Bank (SIB) has announced the allocation of an annual amount of Dh2 million to fund the UAE Red Crescent Authority's charity clinic in Sharjah. This support lies within the framework of a partnership established by the two parties.

H.E Mohammed Abdullah, CEO of SIB, officially presented the donation cheque to Mr. Khamis Al Suwaidi, Sharjah Branch Director of the UAE Red Crescent Authority, in the presence of a number of officials from both parties, at SIB's headquarters.

In a speech delivered on the occasion, Abdullah said that the bank is committed to supporting the efforts the UAE Red Crescent Authority as part of the corporate social responsibility strategy approved by the bank's board of directors.

He said that the initiative is in line with general guidelines on reinforcing the value of social solidarity between organizations and society as well as strengthening the principles of corporate social responsibility, as these principles constitute fundamental elements of growth for the Islamic banking industry.

He added that the partnership between SIB and the UAE Red Crescent Authority is the latest in a series of similar partnerships established by the bank to fund humanitarian programmes inside the UAE, including relief efforts, food supplies and medical assistance.

He further clarified: "The bank has held a series of meetings with officials from the Sharjah Branch of the UAE Red Crescent Authority and has conducted field visits to the charity clinic. We studied the categories of beneficiaries from treatment at the charity clinic. These categories varied from beneficiaries of social assistance allowances to other limited income groups. We decided to support the efforts of the Red Crescent charity clinic as part of our belief in the importance of these clinics in serving limited income groups and needy families."

"SIB has allocated Dh2 million for the UAE Red Crescent Authority's charity clinic in Sharjah to help fund social humanitarian efforts, and to help the clinic offer treatment and healthcare services to the largest possible number of people", he added.

From his side, Al Suwaidi extended his thanks and appreciation to SIB for the support provided to the UAE Red Crescent Authority's charity clinic in Sharjah. He praised the efforts exerted by SIB to serve the community.

Located on Al Ramlah Road in Sharjah, on the main road linking Culture Court with Al Wehda Road, the Red Crescent charity clinic consists of a main building comprising of a check-up room, male treatment room, female treatment room, management office, accounting office, a service building with a pharmacy, archive room and reception hall, as well as a back building hosting the lab, X-ray room and extensions.

He added that the Red Crescent charity clinic currently receives 3000 - 6000 patients per month, and that it treats general diseases while referring chronic disease cases to governmental hospitals for treatment, while bearing with the costs incurred. The clinic undertakes treatment and follow up's, and provides the necessary medicines. In 2009 the clinic offered healthcare services to 10,500 patients from limited income groups and needy families. Volunteer doctors, as well as doctors from specialized medical firms, work at the clinic.

Worth mentioning is that SIB plays a prominent role in supporting the principles of corporate social responsibility, and that it has implemented a number of similar initiatives to the benefit of charities and communities in the country.